Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

It is highly recommended to follow the links at the bottom of this page to the official Ross University web sites.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine offers
an educational program equal in scope and quality to that
offered in the United States.

Program:

Ross University has a trimester program with a
curriculum closely related to US curriculi. Students stay
on St. Kitts for 7 semesters (2 years and 4 months), and
then join the regular clinical year offered by schools in
the United States, with the same privileges as US vet
students. Ross University's advantage is in the emphasis
on practical education on island (surgery labs,
anesthesia labs, clinics etc.), resulting in extremely
well trained students entering the clinical year. As a
matter of fact, faculty at US schools have told me that
they prefer Ross students to assist in tricky procedures
rather than their own students. Graduates
of RUSVM have entered veterinary practice in a broad
range of specialties and are licensed in the majority of
states in the United States.

Faculty:

Most faculty have taught at schools in the United
States, and either have a PhD degree and/or a board
specialty. Ross University does not have research or
publication requirements, therefore, the instructional
staff is particularly accessible and dedicated to
teaching only.

Facilities:

The complex of instructional buildings is built on a
multi-level scenic site overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
The facilities are considered state of the art. Most
buildings are newly constructed, air conditioned,
equipped with modern audiovisual aids, and fully
computerized. A large library and learning resource
center aid in self studies. The large anatomy building
contains the gross anatomy lab, a museum of anatomical
specimens,and a necropsy facility. Besides numerous class
rooms, a large 300-seat auditorium has recently be
constructed. The primary care and referral clinic next to
the large surgery lab aids in clinical training with
modern equipment, such as video-endoscopy,
ultrasonography, radiology, and special surgery suites. A
large modern cafeteria has recently been
build.

Admissions:

Applicants are generally expected to
have earned a Bachelor's degree from an American or
Canadian (or similar) baccalaureate program. The minimum
qualification for admission is the completion of 90
semester hours of college-level courses as specified
below. The courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics must
be equivalent in content to those recommended for
students majoring in Biological Sciences. Applicants from countries other than the United
States or Canada which have educational systems different
from that of the U.S. will be evaluated on their merits,
but will be expected to have completed educational
requirements comparable to those of students from the
United States.

Housing for students

Housing is available in private 1-3 bedroom apartments and 2-4 bedroom houses. There is no dormitory on the island.

Locations:

Mattingley:

advantages: 1 mile from school

disadvantages: far from beaches and activities, area is not considered very safe.

Birdrock:

advantages: rent slightly cheaper than Frigate Bay

disadvantages: safer than Mattingley, but burglaries still occur. Apartments usually older, not always air conditioned, not always well furnished.

Frigate Bay:

advantages: prime residential area on St. Kitts, beaches and safe walking trails close by, houses tend to be more modern and more well equipped, usually air conditioned, safest area to live in.